ROLLING STOCK AND HIGH-SPEED TRAINS

MATERIEL ROULANT ET GRANDES VITESSES FERROVIAIRES

Study made by the French National Railways (S. N. C. F. ) concludes that the upgrading of railway equipment from the 160-200 km/h level to 260-300 km/h involves the following technical conditions: The solid-cast wheels with heat-treated rims, as well as the axles and bearing boxes used today, are adaptable without modification for new requirements. Electric traction and the gas turbine are also capable of providing the required power levels which are moreover moderate owing to the excellent efficiency of the wheel-rail effect. The suspension and guiding elements are instrumental to the improvement of potential train speed and must apply the principles developed by recent theoretical and experimental studies. Aerodynamics, different from that of conventional trains, and also from that of aviation, has made substantial progress, making it possible to reduce drag beyond expectations, without sacrificing train accommodation. Braking requires the combined use of new and known techniques; friction now plays only a minor role. The considered speed level is in keeping with the external and internal environment; comfort has even been significantly improved compared with today's best trains. In short, the design and construction of equipment capable of traveling 260 km/h on new lines are now well under way.

• Corporate Authors:

  Federation Nationale des Trav Publ & des Synd Aff

  6 Avenue Pierre Premier de Serbie
  Paris 16e,   France 
• Authors:
  • Portefaix, A
• Publication Date: 1973-9

Language

• French

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 461-462
• Serial:
  • Travaux
  • Publisher: Federation Nationale des Trav Publ & des Synd Aff

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerodynamics; High speed rail; Railroad electrification; Technology; Train track dynamics; Wheels
• Geographic Terms: France
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00056815
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 31 1974 12:00AM